how do i know when my starter is going out and where is it located

 

You'll have to remind me what year your monte is.
But everytime I've had to replace a starter, it would start fine sometimes. Other times it would be dead. Just the click of the solenoid. The starter would develop an internal dead spot. Tapping the starter with a hammer would help get the starter to a position away from the dead spot inside the starter, and the car would fire up.

If you can get the starter out, most auto parts stores like Auto Zone will test it for you.

 

With the car in park, Turn the key to the on position. Take something like a screw driver, and jump the poles on the solenoid for a sec. If the car starts to crank over, then its a bad solenoid.

As for a bad starter, Taz is correct about the dead spot issue. You should be able to turn the key to start the car and hear a click from the bendix drive engaging the flywheel, but no spinfrom the starter. Tap the starter with a block of wood lightly, and it should move it off the dead spot.If it starts, you need the starter rebuilt or replaced. There is a shop near me that rebuilds them and does a great job. I prefer this as at least I know I am getting my factory original part back, and not something that was rebuilt en-mass with a cheap housing.

Of course the above assumes you have a good battery that reads approximately 14 volts. 12 or less, and youmay nothave enough juice to crank the car, but will allow the lights, radio, etc to work.

 

If you're going to measure the voltage on your battery. Have a friend turn the ignition to the start position while you measure the voltage on the battery. You need to test the battery under load to know if it's good or not. Anything lower than 11 volts, and you're looking at a bad battery.

 

I was going to make some comments on where the starter was located until I saw your account name with the 305 in it.

What year/engine is your monte?

 

year 2002 3.8 engine